Teaching Students with Severe Disabilities

Catalog description

This course provides students with an understanding of individuals who have been diagnosed with severe disabilities. The course will take a life-span perspective by focusing on preschoolers, school-aged children, and adults, and will include discussion of individuals who have mental retardation, autism, those who demonstrate significant behavioral challenges, and/or those who have special health care needs. Students will study the psychological, social, and physical characteristics of individuals with severe disabilities, laws pertaining to educating students with severe disabilities, and theoretical and philosophical foundations underlying recent practice. Students will study, observe, and implement research-based strategies for teaching students with severe disabilities in inclusive school and community settings. Students will understand and conduct ecological assessments of students and environments and explore the use of assistive technology to enhance autonomy and learning. Knowledge will be acquired through coursework, discussions, and required fieldwork.